James "Jim" Franklin Sparks Obituary

James “Jim” Franklin Sparks, age 80, departed this life peacefully on January 23, 2024, in Lexington, Kentucky. He was born July 25, 1943, in Berea, Kentucky and was the son of the late Bessie Fern (Tompkins) Sparks and Clarence William Sparks.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his sister Deanna Ward and niece Beverly Palmer.

Jim was a loving Father and Grandfather and always wanted to help anyone he could. He worked for Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative for 33 years and after retirement, he established his own backhoe service and was a licensed master plumber. He enjoyed spending time with family, bonding with his dog Duke, reading and listening to the bible, and watching Westerns and the ION channel. He could always fix anything throughout the years from rebuilding a vehicle to a washing machine or even a water line.

He is survived by two sons James Brian Sparks and John Ryan Sparks (Ashley Sparks) as well as a granddaughter Kalyn Krista-Ann Sparks (Michael Spangler) and her mother Tammy Rena Sparks. Jim is also survived by additional family, Pamela Ward, Michael & Betty Davis, Jenny & Jim Lovins, Brenda Hays, Benny Tompkins, John Tompkins, Roger Tompkins, and Earl & Marcella Brockman.

He is also survived by many friends, Virgil & Violet Cane, Dallas Cox, Donnie Smith, Gary Blevins, Walter Hurst, Wendall P. Frye, Kyle & Cindy Shepherd, Tony Walters, Phillip Chrisman, Kendall Norris, Carlos Kelley and many more.

He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him; we know our loss is Truly Heavens Gain.

Funeral service will be 1:00 PM Saturday, January 27, 2024 at the Lakes Funeral Home’s Bradshaw Chapel with Bro. Eddy Judd officiating. Lakes Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. www.lakesfuneralhomemckee.com

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